For a quick desk lunch, choose nuts based on their individual qualities: organic certification doesn’t tell you whether they’re unsalted or what ingredients and allergens they contain. A smaller pack may suit less frequent use; a larger pack means portioning the nuts yourself and sealing it properly. If you’re choosing a mix, check which types of nuts it contains.
You’re looking for nuts with no added salt and want to distinguish organic certification from general product claims. Check the label and ingredients separately. The European Commission explains when the EU organic logo may be used.
You often have nuts with lunch or yoghurt and want to portion them yourself from a larger pack. Check the pack size, seal it properly and store the nuts in a cool, dark, dry place, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.
You don’t eat nuts every working day and are weighing up a smaller pack of one type against a mix. Compare the quantity, types of nuts and allergens on the label of the specific product.
First decide which quality matters most for your lunch; then compare labels and packaging on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What should you check? | Who is this more important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Organic certification | Check for the EU organic logo, the code of the inspection body and the country-of-origin indication. Organic doesn’t mean unroasted or unsalted. | I want to check that the organic claim applies to my choice. Around 33% of consumers prioritise organic certification. |
| Ingredients and quantity | Read the ingredients and check whether the nuts are unsalted. Compare the nutritional values per 100 grams and check the serving size shown on the pack. | I want to know what’s in my lunch and choose a suitable amount myself. Around 27% of consumers focus mainly on ingredients and portioning. |
| Portioning and storage | Check the pack size and storage instructions. Take a portion with you separately and seal the rest properly; the Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing nuts in a cool, dark, dry place. | I want to be able to take a portion to the office quickly without leaving an opened bag lying around. Around 20% of consumers prioritise portioning and storage. |
| Packaging and consumption | Match the pack size to how often you eat nuts. Compare the details of different packs carefully: varieties may differ in ingredients and inspection code. | I don’t want to buy more than I expect to use. Around 20% of consumers choose mainly based on packaging and how much they actually use. |
How a product is prepared doesn’t prove it has organic certification. According to the European Commission, the EU organic logo is linked to certification by an approved control authority or control body.
Check the organic claim, logo and related label information separately from the preparation method and ingredients.
For the AH almonds reviewed, in a 150-gram pack, Albert Heijn lists six portions of 25 grams. This is product information from the label, not personal dietary advice.
Check the stated serving size and, if you wish, set aside a portion in advance.
PLUS product information lists five types of nuts in its organic nut mix. A mix may therefore contain different ingredients and allergens from a pack of a single type.
Read the full ingredients and allergen information for the specific pack, especially if you need to avoid a particular nut.
Nuts can absorb odours and are susceptible to mould. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises storing them well sealed in a cool, dark, dry place.
Use an airtight container if the packaging doesn’t reseal properly, and follow the storage instructions on the label too.
Albert Heijn’s product information describes unroasted almonds in 150- and 400-gram varieties, with different inspection codes.
PLUS describes an organic nut mix in a 150-gram tub, for those looking for several varieties.
Jumbo’s product information describes a 150-gram organic, unroasted nut mix.
This selection includes almonds, as well as seeds and linseed as related additions for a quick desk lunch. Seeds and linseed are seeds, not nuts. For organic certification and allergens, always check the information for the specific product.
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The title describes raw, unsalted almonds, making them a good fit if you’re looking for almonds with no added salt for your lunch.
Size: 200 g. Contains almonds and is not suitable if you have an almond allergy.
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These are sunflower seeds, not nuts; they may suit you if you’re looking for a seed option to have with your lunch as well as nuts.
The product information lists unsalted sunflower seeds in a 140 g pack. Pieces of shell may be present; the product information also lists nuts, peanuts and sesame as allergens.
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These are pumpkin seeds, not nuts; consider them only if adding seeds to your lunch is what you’re looking for.
Size according to the product title: 500 g. Check the product packaging for the latest ingredients, allergen and storage information.
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These are sunflower seeds, not nuts; a 500 g pack may suit you if you want to add seeds to dishes more often.
Size according to the product title: 500 g. Check the product packaging for the latest ingredients, allergen and storage information.
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This is broken linseed, not a nut; it’s suitable only if you want to add a seed to, for example, yoghurt or a dish.
Size according to the product title: 500 g. Check the product packaging for the latest ingredients, allergen and storage information.
No, it depends on the product and its origin. According to the European Commission, the logo is compulsory for pre-packed organic food produced in the EU; its use is optional for certain imported and unpackaged organic products. Also check the inspection code and the indication of agricultural origin.
No, these are different qualities. The EU organic logo relates to organic certification; check the product information on the packaging for the ingredients and salt content. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes unsalted nuts in its guidance on nuts.
Store nuts in a well-sealed container in a cool, dark, dry place, as advised by the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. For mixed, unsalted nuts, the Centre gives six months in a kitchen cupboard as general storage guidance; also follow the instructions on the product packaging.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact mix you want to buy. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergen information must appear on the label of pre-packed products; organic certification alone doesn’t tell you which allergens a product contains.
No, sunflower seeds and linseed are seeds, not nuts. They may be suitable as additions in their own right, but they’re not a substitute for nuts if you’re specifically looking for nuts. Check the ingredients and allergen information for each product.
